Jiu Jitsu director prepares for next Hollywood film shoot to begin in April

After the successful production of the Kung Fu film ‘Jiu Jitsu’ in Cyprus last summer starring Nicholas Cage, the island will by the end of April be hosting Dimitris Logothetis’ new film, ‘Man of War’.

The new film to be shot exclusively in Cyprus by Greek-American Hollywood director is already at the pre-production stage, with shooting expected to begin by the end of April.

“We’ve officially began preparations for the production of our new film,” Logothetis told media on Thursday.

“At the moment, we’re finalizing our budget, searching for the locations where we will film, organizing our crew, and preparing contracts, Logothetis added.

The film’s production team is discussing with various actors for the lead roles, but haven't officially decided on any names.  

The ‘Man of War’ script was written by Gary Scott Thompson, the writer behind the ‘Fast & Furious’ film franchise. Direction of the movie will be undertaken by Logothetis in collaborattion with producer Todd Garner, the former president of Walt Disney.

Garner has also produced films like xXx, with Vin Diesel, and Knight and Day with Tom Cruise.

The film will be distributed by Highland Film Group, who distributed Jiu Jitsu.

Highland Film Group also has Logothetis’ production team, which also includes Cypriot Chris Economides, working on two more films: ‘Kickboxer: Armageddon’, and its sequel, ‘Kickboxer: Vengeance and Retaliation’, which are expected to star Alain Moussi (Jiu Jitsu), Claude Van Damme, and Christopher Lambert.

The ‘Kickboxer’ sequel will reportedly be a revival of a major film produced in the 80s.

“For all these films, Cyprus is our first choice,” Logothetis said.

Arianne Fraser, CEO of Highland Film Group, recently told media that “we’re thrilled to be working with Dimitris Logothetis. Personally, I’ve seen the initial cut of the Jiu Jitsu film and I must say it is extremely entertaining and full of action!”

Jiu Jitsu, filmed in several locations across Cyprus last summer, was the first film shot under the new cash rebate programme.

Logothetis now has acquired a new film fund of over 250 million, and announced he would commit half of the fund to produce films in Cyprus.